Tuesday from the Hogar

Tuesday was another fantastic day! Should I keep saying that or is it getting old? Oh well, I’m just speaking the truth as the days just keep getting better and better.

Today was not unlike yesterday in that we arrived at the Hogar in the morning, did some work, then spent some time in the afternoon just hanging out with the kids.

What was different about today were two things – the outdoor brick factory and the program at the school. On our way out of Comayagua we stopped at a traditional brick factory. It was quite an interesting experience. We were able to watch a man assemble the mud bricks then others firing them in the kiln. If you watch the Amazing Race, there was an episode where the contestants had to make bricks. The way they did it here was exactly the same. What wasn’t quite as enjoyable to see was the kids who came to see us as we walked around the brick factory. They were very cute but unfortunately they were very dirty and several did not have many clothes on. One of the little boys also had reddish bumps all over his body. It was an eye-opener.

At the Hogar one of our first events was to attend a program put on by the children at the Tierra Santa school. They danced for us, sang songs, and sang the national anthem of Honduras. We were very grateful for the show.

Following the program, we all went various directions to do various things. One thing new today for some was the chance to do some teaching. Jeannine, Sam, Nick, Michael, and Natasha taught a drawing and beading class for the 4th-grade students. The beading was an especially big hit and many kids later in the day continued to bead with Jeannine.

Perhaps my biggest highlight of the day was watching Chris A teach a dance to many of the girls. They had so much fun and provided so many smiles for those of us watching. Kudos to Chris for preparing for this and pulling it off big time. I hope the girls do the dance for us a few more times before we leave. It’s been hinted at that we might put on a program for the kids before we leave on Thursday. Maybe Chris and the girls will perform for us all once more.

I spent the rest of my time today doing some work in the library, playing soccer with a bunch of the boys, and visiting with many of mis nuevas amigas. I honestly can say that I have never, ever had so much fun practicing my Spanish. The kids are so accepting of my slow speaking and how I butcher many of their words. They are so patient and give me every chance to get it right. I’m using my phrase book and any words I can pull from deep inside my brain. I know I’m not very good, but I’m doing better than I thought I would be doing. I haven’t ever had a chance like this to really speak the language, where the person I’m speaking to knows English less than I know Spanish. It’s the best experience ever! Will I continue to try and learn more Spanish when I get home? I sure hope so.

Another great thing about speaking the language here is that those of us in the group who do speak fluent Spanish don’t step in and correct us poor speakers very often. They let us struggle through, which is great, but then they are always there when we need them. I am so thankful that we have Debbie, Sarah, Holly and Chris with us on this trip. You’re all the best!!!

Busting Walls and Building Bridges

We began the day visiting a brick factory. The word “factory” doesn’t quite do this operation justice. You can’t imagine how hard these men, women and yes, even children work, making each brick by hand. It seems like days ago that we made this trip.

At the Hogar, I began the day organizing the many donations that we collected and that many of you contributed. What a moving experience to see it all come together and blessing to be able to get into the hands of those who need it. And what need there is!

We did plenty of dirty work today as well. Yes, the wall is mostly down, but now we are picking up the pieces and hauling it away to the farm.

True, we came to work and that included breaking down a huge wall. But that is not really what this trip is about…I am seeing that this is about building bridges. Bridges between the Hogar, the many dedicated volunteers, and each of these beautiful children. We started building walls, but now we are building bridges.

Blessings to you all,

Mitch

Head Lice and Hospitality

Although I am currently sitting here with Lice Shampoo in my hair (sigh), today goes down as one of the best days I have ever experienced. We, once again, did not accomplish everything on “the list” and I am DELIGHTED about that fact. That meant I got to spend part of my day doing bracelets with the girls. Doing bracelets included highlights such as:

• About 3,427 hugs
• Ten little girls giggling as they yell “MITCH!"....mimicking me, of course!
• Six little girls making fun of me because I only know about five words of Spanish.
• Four beaded bracelets that were made just for me!
• Three young ladies telling me to stay and to not get on the bus.
• One farewell kiss on the cheek from a special young lady (Mike, it was Lesvia…she is a real gem!)

The time is flying by too quickly and I am already in fear of the buckets of tears that will be shed as we drive away on Thursday afternoon.This trip has proven to exceed my expectations in so many ways.This group of people is tremendous – hard working, dedicated, passionate, talented, patient, loving and even a couple of them are funny!

I can’t wait to get home because I sure miss my own kids, but if you gave me a nickel I’d never go back to work again! Something tells me I’m going to have to take some additional vacation time off so I can plan our next mission trip!

Blessings -
Lois Hegland

Back in Honduras!

Being back here is amazing. My first encounter with the kids was very overwhelming and emotional. I was scared that i wouldn't remember all of the names...i was right. I love seeing the kids with the legacy group. they just LOVE them! I could write forever about our experiences, but there is one story that i would like to share.

When i was down here last year, my mom wanted to come and visit so badly but was unable to. She asked me to pick out a kid for her to sponsor that i was close to, and who i thought would be a good fit for her. I chose a little girl named Demaris. She is beautiful inside and out. She is 8 years old and has three sisters and one brother with her here at the hogar. She follows me around like a puppy dog. I have been communicating with my mom and Demaris about each other for over a year. There were finally able to meet on this trip! I arrived on Friday night without the group, and the first thing Demaris asked me was about her "mardrina", which means godmother. I told her that she would be here Sunday morning and would have all week with her. I could see the look of excitement in her eyes. on Sunday i arrived to the hogar after the group was already there. i walked through the gates and Wendy, Demaris little sister, came and got me. "Your mom is here", she said. "She is with Demaris, come and see!" I walked over and saw the Demaris on my mom's lap. I couldn't help the tears. This little girl was finally able to meet her "madrina" who she thinks about about constantly. And my mom was finally able to meet the little girl she supports and loves from a long distance. For the first time they were able to hug each other and say "i love you". Bringing these two together means the world to me! Only about a third of the kids get to meet their madrinas. Obviously this is a special one for me. The last few days we have been able to spend lots of time together. The three of us have sat down i have translated their conversations. It is an honor to do so! Well, back to the kids. I am off to play uno with Demaris and my mom. More later...hasta luego!

Sarah

De la Señora Berkey

¡Buenas tardes!

No puedo creer que ya es el martes. Ya vimos una boda, bajamos un muro, pintamos muchísimo, reparamos paredes y claro que tambien estamos conociendo a los niños. A ellos les gustan hacer programas con canciones y baile. Además de esto, les gusta jugar. Están en exámenes, entonces estudian bastante ahorita tambien.

Hace mucho calor, pero esto no me molesta mucho. La verdad es que me gusta el calor... creo que es bueno para los músculos y la piel : )

Hoy visitamos un sitio donde fabrican ladrillos. Fue muy interesante. Ayer fuimos al supermercado y tenía oportunidad comprar cosas que extraño mucho. Por ejemplo, marmelada de piña, galletas que no se puede conseguir en los EEUU, cremas, etc. También estoy muy emocionada recibir la placa que compré el domingo. Es de un paisaje hondureño. Será muy lindo.

Pues, me voy. ¡Hasta luego!

Sra. Berkey

Video from Monday at the Hogar

Greetings from Larry on Tuesday

Greetings from Larry,

After a scrambled egg and toast breakfast, we were off bright and early to the brick makers to watch them create the most important building material in Honduras. We watched a young man bending over a form that makes four bricks. He moved like a dancer, scooping a handful of mud and dropping it into the form. With perfect correography, he would scoop and drop a perfect amount into the form. Then he took his fists and pound the clay into the form. Next, he picked up handfuls and dropped them gracefully back into the form...making sure that all of the form was filled and no air pockets existed. Scoop, pound, lift, flop, smooth. In no time at all, he had four perfectly formed bricks, ready to dry out and put in the kiln.

Thinking this was easy, Jeannine and I volunteered to make a few bricks ourselves. Not so gracefully, we scooped up a handful of mud and toss it into the form. It took as as long to fill the form with mud as it did for our mentor to complete the whole process. My second handful fell on top of a few of his perfect bricks. How embarrassing!

Finally, after a few minutes of slow work, Jeannine and I were ready to lift the form and see our creations. The master brick maker walked over (made a few improvements) and lifted the form for us. Voila...four almost perfect bricks. Luckily for the country of Hondura, Jeannine and I have retired from the brick making business. I have a new found appreciation for the skill it takes and the hard work required to make a brick.

Larry

Más pintura...

Ay ya yay!
Hace mucho calor aquí pero todavía estamos trabajando. Esta mañana los niños hicieron otro programa para nosotros. Bailaron bailes típicos, cantaron, bailaron más, y dijeron el juramento a su bandera. Grabé la mayoría del programa y puedo mostrarlo al regresar. Creo que escuché a niños llamando "Rosita" pero no vi a ella. ¡No lo puedo creer! Era posible que Rosita viniera dentro de mi mochila... No sé. Les escribo más tarde.
Con amor,
Señorita Asuquo

TQOMSS

Paint fumes!

HOLA from Honduras!
This experience is beyond words. The children have touched my hearts with all the many smiles we get each moment they see us.
I'm taking a break from painting the beds with oil base paint- the fumes were getting to me so I thought I'd write a little. I painted walls yesterday and ran out of paint to give it a second coat.Others started this morning with the second coat, so I started up with the beds. I became very emotional yesterday to see the living condition of these children. Yet they are always so happy! They are very well taken care of and we certainly have witnessed children in worse conditions.
I'm going to go for now, it's almost lunch and i have to clean up my paint stuff.
Love to my children, grandson and all my friends,

Darla Parrague

More from Monday

Okay, our visit to the Hogar has just finished for the day. And what a day it was!

We began the morning with another breakfast at Hotel Quan. This morning we were served French toast, along with the usual dark morning coffee. The way the breakfast room is arranged is that there are about five table inside the café and then another three or four outside. Because our group is so large we need every chair the café has. It’s a simple, easy breakfast and a very good way to start every day.

Following breakfast, at roughly 8:00, we boarded the bus. Our first stop was the Mall Premiere where we spent a good hour shopping at the grocery store. This was a cultural experience in and of itself. Five from the group were given the task of buying all the necessary items for lunches for the next four days. The rest of us were free to roam around buying coffee, candy, snacks, and drinks. Sam and I even took time out to have dos cafes at a bar inside the grocery store. Mine was café con leche, Sam’s was café negra.

Then our day at the Hogar began. Upon arrival the Hogar was mostly empty except for a few workers doing the daily chores around the grounds. The children were off at school. Some attend school right in the village just a short walk away. Others, the older children, attend high schools in nearby villages.

Because the kids were busy at el colegio, we had much time to begin various projects. Sarah Fimmen and Annie Bjerke took most of the group on a walkthrough of some of the buildings to explain what was needed. Bob and Doug then did an awesome job serving as pseudo project leaders. Folks in this group did everything from minor repairs in the bathroom and kitchen to cleaning and painting one of the children’s rooms to painting cribs in the toddler room.

While this work was going on, others tackled a large brick wall the stood in the front of the Hogar courtyard. It was our job to tear down this wall so that a water filtration building can begin to be constructed a few weeks from now. This building will allow the Hogar to bottle enough water to not only serve their own needs but also the needs of many others in the villa.

The wall went down fairly easily, thanks to the brute strength of several tough Minnesotans. Once the wall toppled over it was then necessary to break it into small enough chunks to load into the back of a pickup.

Adjacent to this wall was a bathroom building that also needed to come down. Mitch (aka Hurricane) and Evan (aka Almighty) gave removing the toilets the old college try, but to no avail. Thank goodness for the hepatitis shots, eh boys? We decided to leave the toilets for another day. Too bad my friend Neil T wasn’t here. Neil earned a reputation for expert toilet removal on a trip to New Orleans in 2006. Maybe we’ll save the toilets for Neil and convince him to come next time.

In the afternoon the children returned to the Hogar. We had mucho tiempo to visit and play with the kids. Again I got to know many children. They are all so friendly and happy to talk. Some are trouble, though, and are clearly having some fun at our expense. The joke is on us most of the time as we scramble to find an interpreter to tell us what they are saying and why they are laughing so loudly. It’s all in fun and of course we love it.

Among the children I worked with or hung out with today were Giovanni, Jessica, Alba, Sarai, Wendy Esmerelda, and Maria Isabel. Giovanni had a little too much fun wielding his machete.

It was another great day and I just can’t wait to get back tomorrow. Hasta manana!

Chris

Tuesday

We just arrived back from the school where the children put on a program of dancing and singing and welcomed us with lots of smiles and hugs. This place is truly incredible....lots to process! I will leave it to say that the children are beautiful and full of joy and living in such a way that will be hard to forget....yet they have smiles all the time.

This morning we visited a brick factory, and you will be surprised when the pictures come up at what a 'factory' is. The wood factory that we visited on Sunday was also surprising.We will be going back to retrieve our purchases on Thursday. I am guessing that the woodworkers have been carving day and night to fill our orders!

Larry and Jeanine made bricks and had the brickmaker enjoying their efforts!

This afternoon we will be tie-dyeing and playing BINGO and we cannot wait to interact with the kids in these projects. They are excited to have us here even when we don't do things with them!

Hasta Luego,

Jeanne

Things I've learned in the Honduras (Part 1)

-When the Berlin Wall came down, it's got nothing on this group.
-There are a hundred ways to fix P B and J's but no Hondurn equivalent of Marshmallow Fluff
-A leopard doesn't change its spots but it can change its habitat
-There's no such thing as too much Purell!
-A store with the word "Carrion" plastered on the side of the building can havereally great groceries
-As Honduras Bob would say "we're the circus in town"-guess that means we have to give everyone " The Greatest Show on Earth"

Ann